652,

After a baby is born, a pregnant woman's belly usually returns to its former state within a few weeks.

Of course, exercise can speed up the process.

That was the first thing Elyse looked up after learning she was going to have a child.

She'd planned to get back in perfect shape as soon as Feng'er was born, then go another round with Cyclone.

But now, standing before the bathroom mirror, Elyse no longer had any such plans.

The only thing she still had connecting her to Feng'er was her swollen belly.

She rested her right hand on her stomach, hoping to feel that familiar weight, that familiar kick.

But her body felt so light now. There was nothing left in her belly.

She looked at herself in the mirror again. She was no longer the noble and beautiful Princess of Dusk—just a frail young mother, a person with no soul left in her.

Elyse held back, trying not to cry.

But a few seconds later, she couldn't hold it in any longer.

Tears streamed down her face, and Elyse sank to her knees.

“Elyse!? Ely…”

When Cyclone woke up and found Elyse gone, Cyclone hurriedly opened the door.

The moment Cyclone saw Elyse, Cyclone couldn't find the words.

This was a place where they'd fought before, but it was also where Cyclone and Elyse had reached the heights of pleasure countless times.

But that happiness was gone now. As Elyse sobbed, Cyclone sank to their knees too.

Holding Elyse from behind, Cyclone spoke.

“I know this is hard to do. I don't think I could do it myself, but… try to forget Feng'er, okay? Forget him. Forget that you were ever pregnant!”

“How can I forget?! How can you ask me to forget?! Feng'er is my son! My son!!”

“I know! I know!!”

Cyclone couldn't think of any way to help. Asking Elyse to forget Feng'er was impossible.

But it was the only desperate thing Cyclone could think of. Even if it was too much to ask, Cyclone hoped it might ease Elyse's pain, just a little.

But no matter how tightly Cyclone held Elyse, nothing could change what had happened.

One person alone couldn't rewrite such a cruel reality.

When you lose someone you can't forget, the world is bound to fall into darkness.

Only after a long time did Cyclone manage to get Elyse back into bed and let her drift off to sleep.

“This can't go on…”

Yuna stood behind Cyclone, trying to comfort them.

“I know… I can't forget either, and yet I actually asked Elyse to forget…”

Cyclone lowered their head and looked at their hands.

“That was the first time I'd ever said something so stupid…”

“Don't act like you haven't said stupid things before~”

Yuna tried to tease Cyclone a little, hoping to lift their spirits.

Just then, the door opened, and Little Dragon walked in.

“Cyclone?”

Cyclone glanced over. Seeing Little Dragon, Cyclone lowered their head again.

“What is it?”

Yuna asked on Cyclone's behalf.

“There's a visitor…”

Yuna shook her head as soon as she heard.

There was no need to think twice. Cyclone clearly wasn't in the mood to see anyone.

Earlier, while Elyse was still unconscious, they'd asked Cyclone to meet Eumerika in the hope that Cyclone could get some rest.

But things were even worse now. Cyclone's body was fine; only their heart still needed healing.

Even though Yuna shook her head, Little Dragon didn't leave.

Instead, Little Dragon gestured for Yuna to step outside.

Little Dragon was a woman who knew how to read the room. She wouldn't be this insistent without a good reason.

After thinking it over, Yuna decided to leave the room.

Only after closing the door did she ask in a low voice,

“Who is the visitor?”

“Onigashima.”

“Onigashima? That sleazy man who hangs around Sophiel?”

“Sleazy?”

Little Dragon was one of the Auron, and had the sharpest sense of smell in Cyclone's household.

But when Little Dragon had seen Onigashima just now, she hadn't smelled anything bad about him at all.

“Not that kind of sleazy. Little Dragon, you're too inexperienced. Hunters who make their living hunting monsters love going to brothels.”

“Oh…”

Yuna waved a hand, cutting off the conversation.

“Anyway, what does he want?”

Little Dragon tilted her head and waved a hand too.

“I don't know. He said he wants to speak to Cyclone in person.”

“Turn him away.”

“…”

Yuna's firm decision didn't make Little Dragon back down.

“Actually… he said he wants to speak to Cyclone… and Elyse, in person…”

That specific request struck Yuna as a little strange too.

Just then, the door opened.

It was Cyclone. They'd clearly heard the conversation.